Abstract [en]

Background: Approximately one-third of Sweden's population will develop cancer and about 50 percent of these will recover from it. To suffer from a cancer diagnosis with a fatal outcome often turns life upside-down and makes big demands on the family and on the environment. Support and safety from relatives and nursing staff is therefore important to the dying patient. Aim: To describe relatives experience of late palliative care at home in cancer diagnosis. Method: A literature review has been done to get at deeper knowledge about the chosen subject. Results: Despite the mental and physical stresses many family members chose to become caregivers. They wanted to give back the love and concern that they once received from their loved one. A wish to die at home was often resulted in demands on the environment. Everyday routines and other social and economic aspects fell apart. Support, information and knowledge were therefore important for the family to be able to be part of the care process. Conclusion: End of life care in the home makes great demands on families. A well-functioning organization facilitates for the relatives and increases the chance for the well-being of the family.